Ivan Mamut has left NK Varaždin to sign for Indonesian club Persija Jakarta. The transfer was confirmed in a report by net.hr, with a fee of half a million euros marking a significant departure for the second-placed HNL side.
The Split native played 36 matches for Varaždin, scoring 14 goals and providing 6 assists. He joined as a free agent last summer and now moves to Jakarta. His exit leaves manager Nikola Šafarić with a serious challenge in attack. The club's next fixture is a home match against Istra 1961 on September 4th, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
How will the attacking gap be filled?
Following Mamut's departure, the only recognized striker in the squad is Stipe Jurić. Manager Šafarić has already tested one possible solution in a friendly match against Czech side Jablonec, which he started without Mamut. In that game, Aleksa Latković operated as a false nine. This tactical change could become a more frequent option in upcoming matches. The current squad composition can be reviewed in detail on our squad page.
Where did Mamut play before Varaždin?
Ivan Mamut's professional career included several clubs before his arrival at Varaždin. He played for Inter, Sesvete, Romanian sides Universitatea Craiova and FCSB. Prior to moving to Persija, he spent time in Malaysia with Terengganu. His Asian experience likely contributed to the Indonesian club's interest. Ivan Mamut who for half a million euros is leaving for Indonesia, to the club Persija from Jakarta, as reported by 24Sata.
Why is Persija Jakarta active in the Croatian market?
Persija Jakarta is not new to seeking talent from Croatia. This summer, the club already signed defender Stjepan Lončar from Istra 1961. They also brought in Denis Kolinger from Lokomotiva. This trend shows that Croatian players are valued in that market. NK Varaždin's current league position can be checked on the standings page.
Šafarić's team must now adapt quickly ahead of an important home fixture. NK Varaždin hosts Istra 1961 at the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec on Tuesday, September 4th, 2026.
